Wildlife rehabilitation center could do no more for abused ducklings

DENVER - Two ducklings rescued from along Boulder Creek have had to be euthanized because they weren't getting any better. Wildlife rehabilitators at the Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Longmont say the ducklings were blinded and couldn't balance themselves. State regulations require that any wild animals that cannot be rehabilitated to live on their own must be euthanized.

We were first told by Greenwood Wildlife that the ducklings were rescued by a Good Samaritan, who witnessed children throwing rocks at them. The Boulder Police Department's Animal Control Unit investigated the case and interviewed the man. Authorities say he told officers that he did not actually see children throwing rocks at the ducklings. Instead, he says he saw kids in the area throwing rocks into the pond. He surmised that the children caused the injuries to the ducklings. The man also said that he saw Canada geese pecking at the ducklings.

Because of these inconsistencies and the origin of the duckling's injuries isn't known, the Animal Control Unit has concluded that officers will not pursue a criminal investigation.